> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://private-7c7dfe99-mintlify-8a08bda2.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> Overview of external authentication methods supported by ClickHouse

# External User Authenticators and Directories

<CloudNotSupportedBadge />

<Note>
  This page isn't applicable to [ClickHouse Cloud](https://clickhouse.com/cloud). The feature documented here isn't available in ClickHouse Cloud services.
  See the ClickHouse [Cloud Compatibility](/products/cloud/guides/cloud-compatibility) guide for more information.
</Note>

ClickHouse supports authenticating and managing users using external services.

The following external authenticators and directories are supported:

* [LDAP](/concepts/features/security/external-authenticators/ldap#ldap-external-authenticator) [Authenticator](/concepts/features/security/external-authenticators/ldap#ldap-external-authenticator) and [Directory](/concepts/features/security/external-authenticators/ldap#ldap-external-user-directory)
* Kerberos [Authenticator](/concepts/features/security/external-authenticators/kerberos#kerberos-as-an-external-authenticator-for-existing-users)
* [SSL X.509 authentication](/concepts/features/security/external-authenticators/ssl-x509)
* HTTP [Authenticator](/concepts/features/security/external-authenticators/http)